"China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

China called for "fair and mutually respectful dialogue and consultations", he added.

Beijing on Tuesday fired a return salvo in its escalating trade war with the United States, slapping fresh tariffs on everything from American crude oil to agricultural machinery.

That followed the US imposing new tariffs of 10 percent on all Chinese imports.

"The measures taken by China are necessary to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," Lin said.

"There are no winners in a trade war or a tariff war," he added.

The White House has said its tariffs are aimed at pushing China to do more to stem the deadly fentanyl trade, which US authorities estimate causes tens of thousands of deaths a year.

US President Donald Trump is "not going to allow China to continue to source and distribute deadly fentanyl into our country," the White House said.

Beijing on Wednesday rejected responsibility for the fentanyl epidemic, touting its zero-tolerance drug policy.

"China has one of the toughest policies against drugs in the world," Lin said.

"Fentanyl is the United States' issue, and its root cause lies within the United States itself," he added.